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37 - On Slavery (1854?)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2013

Terence Ball
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
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Summary

If A. can prove, however conclusively, that he may, of right, enslave B. – why may not B. snatch the same argument, and prove equally, that he may enslave A? —

You say A. is white, and B. is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own.

You do not mean color exactly? – You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks, and, therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care again. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.

But, say you, it is a question of interest; and, if you can make it your interest, you have the right to enslave another. Very well. And if he can make it his interest, he has the right to enslave you.

Type
Chapter
Information
Lincoln
Political Writings and Speeches
, pp. 223
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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  • On Slavery (1854?)
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.044
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  • On Slavery (1854?)
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.044
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • On Slavery (1854?)
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.044
Available formats
×